‘Captain Miller’ Film Shooting Draws Criticism from Environmentalists for Alleged Disturbance to Birds in Madurai Biodiversity Heritage Site

The shooting of the upcoming film ‘Captain Miller,’ starring actor Dhanush, has faced criticism from environmentalists in Madurai’s Arittapatti region, as it is alleged to be disturbing the birds in the state’s newly designated biodiversity heritage site. While the production company denies these claims, stating they have obtained government approval for the filming, concerns about the impact on the local wildlife persist.

‘Captain Miller’ is a historical thriller set in the 1930s or 1940s, directed by filmmaker Arun Matheswaran. Alongside Dhanush, the film features Kannada actor Shivraj Kumar, Priyanka Mohan, Sandeep Kishan, and other prominent actors in pivotal roles. The movie is being made in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages and has a soundtrack composed by GV Prakash. The storyline reportedly revolves around the conflict between Indians and the British, with significant battle sequences and a sizable set.

Before the film’s production, there were allegations of an illegally constructed wooden bridge across the Chenkulam canal in the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) conservation area in the Tenkasi district. These claims suggested that the bridge harmed the canal’s banks and disrupted the local wildlife. Additionally, concerns were raised about the crew filming action sequences with bomb blasts in forest-controlled regions, as well as the use of high-beam lights and bonfires. In response to these allegations, Tenkasi district collector Durai Ravichandran prohibited the shooting, citing the lack of necessary authorization. This decision sparked a heated debate among film critics. However, the ‘Captain Miller’ shoot eventually commenced after obtaining the required authorization.

Despite the authorization, the Arittapatti Conservation Society expressed dissatisfaction with the filming of explosion scenes in ‘Captain Miller’ without the necessary permission in Arittapatti, a designated Biodiversity Zone within the Madurai district. According to Ravichandran, president of the Arittapatti Birds and biodiversity protection organization, the production crew is allegedly using speakers and modern equipment that create loud noises throughout the day, disturbing the local bird population. As Arittapatti is a sanctuary for many exotic birds, these noise levels may have a detrimental impact on egg hatching, Ravichandran added.

Forest minister Mathiventhan, when approached by reporters, stated that he was unaware of the shooting but pledged to investigate the matter. He emphasized that shooting in the conservation reserve is permitted under the proper authorization, implying that the necessary approvals were obtained.

The controversy surrounding ‘Captain Miller’ film shooting highlights the delicate balance between artistic endeavors and environmental conservation. As discussions continue, all stakeholders must collaborate and ensure that the film production adheres to the necessary regulations while minimizing potential disturbances to the biodiversity heritage site and its avian inhabitants.